[CICTD]
[Contact]
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| A | |
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| Albumin | |
| Albumin is a protein that circulates in the blood.. | |
| Amnesia | |
| Inability to recall past events, to complete loss of memory. | |
| Anatomy | |
| The science of the structure of the body, the muscles and blood vessels. | |
| Anaemia | |
| Shortage of the normal amount of red blood cells in the body. | |
| ANA/ANF | |
| Antinuclear antibodies/factor. Antinuclear antibodies bind to cell components and especially to the nuclei of cells. | |
| Anamnesis | |
| The medical history of a patient, reconstructed by the statements of the patient. | |
| Anticardiolipin antibodies | |
| These antibodies, also called antiphospholipid antibodies, target certain parts of a cell membrane. When found in the presence of certain other factors, these antibodies affect the blood clotting. | |
| Anticentromere antibodies | |
| Antibodies to a particular part of a cell's nucleus. They are associated with the CREST-syndrome | |
| Anti-DNA antibodies | |
| Antibodies against DNA. They occur in approximately 75 % of the patients with llupus, and often in the more severe forms. The level can vary with disease activity. Anti-DNA antistoffen zijn antistoffen tegen DNA. Ze komen bij ong 75% van de patiënten met lupus voor. Kijken we naar de patiënten die een opstoot hebben, dan vinden we ze bij meer dan 90%. | |
| Antiphospholipid antibodies | |
| See anticardiolipin antibodies | |
| Antigen | |
| Substance foreign to the body provoking antibody production. | |
| Anti-Jo-1 antibodies | |
| These antibodies are found in Poly-and Dermatomyositis. | |
| Antibody | |
| A protein formed in response to the intrusion of an antigen. Antibodies link up with antigens to nullify the harmful effect of the antigen. | |
| Antimalarials | |
| Drugs that were originally developed to treat malaria. It was found that they also have benefits in the treatment of certain CICTDs. | |
| Anti-RNP | |
| This antibody against ribonucleoprotein occurs in various chronic inflammatory connective tissue diseases. In MCTD they are found in large quantities. | |
| Anti-Scl-70 antibodies | |
| These antibodies are very typical of scleroderma, but they are rare.. | |
| Anti-Sm antibodies | |
| Anti-Sm antibodies are very typical of lupus, but they do not occur often. Sm stands for Smith, the name of the first patient in whom they were found. | |
| Anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies | |
| These antibodies occur in approximately 50% of the patients with Sjogrens Syndrome. | |
| Arteritis | |
| Inflammation involving one or more artery. | |
| Arthritis | |
| Inflammation of the joints (Arthr = joint, itis = inflammation).The symptoms may be pain, swelling, redness, heat. | |
| Arthralgia | |
| Joint pains | |
| Atrophy | |
| The reducing in volume and weight of a cell, organ or body part. Muscle atrophy already starts after 14 days of persistent paralysis. | |
| Autoantibody | |
| An antibody against own antigens (auto=self). | |
| Autoimmunity | |
| In case of autoimmunity something goes wrong with immunity: the bodys own defence mechanism. Instead of directing its defence against foreign intruders (bacteria, viruses,..) it attacks its own body cells by producing large amounts of autoantibodies that cause inflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases.
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| B | |
| Biopsy | |
| Removal of a small sample of tissue for further examination under a microscope. | |
| Blood | |
| This body fluid contains amongst other things: - red blood cells or erythrocytes that transport oxygen from the lungs to the different organs. - white blood cells or leukocytes that play a role in defending infections and building up immunity. - platelets that take care of the blood clotting. |
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| C | |
| Capillary | |
| The smallest blood vessel | |
| Cataract | |
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Clouding of the lens in the eye. Read also our article about cataract |
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| Chronic | |
| Denoting a disease of long continuance, slow progress and long duration. | |
| Collagen | |
| A protein substance that is a major component of connective tissue, cartilage and bone. | |
| Complement | |
| Complement is a group of proteins found in the body. They are activated when the body is fighting perceived 'invaders' and play an important role in inflammation. | |
| Congestion | |
| Accumulation | |
| Connective Tissue | |
| Tissue that holds all the body parts together. It can be found throughout the body. | |
| Connective Tissue Disease | |
| Disease in which the connective tissue is involved, either by inflammation (CICTD) or by hereditary defects. The connective tissue diseases incorporated in our league are the inflammatory ones, the CICTDs. | |
| Cornea | |
| Transparent membrane covering the outer wall of the eye. | |
| Corticosteroids | |
| Corticosteroids are hormones produced by the adrenal glands (the adrenal glands are glands situated on top of the kidneys). It is also a synthetic, artificial drug, used to suppress inflammation in the body. Read also our article about corticosteroids. |
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| Creatinine (*) | |
| Creatinine is a blood and urine component that is measured in certain tests to determine the functioning of the kidneys. | |
| CREST syndrome | |
| The CREST syndrome can be considered a form of systemic sclerosis. Read also our article on scleroderma. |
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| Cutaneous | |
| related to the skin. | |
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| D | |
| Diffuse | |
| Spread about, without any specific restrictions. | |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Differentiation; making a diagnosis by comparing similar symptoms of two or more diseases. | |
| DNA | |
| DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid: a chemical compound that carries the hereditary properties. | |
| Dysphagia | |
| Difficulty in swallowing | |
| Dyspnea | |
| Shortness of breath | |
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| E | |
| Echography | |
| Examination with ultrasone waves. | |
| Endemic | |
| Said of a disease prevailing continually in a region, seemingly without beginning or end. | |
| Epidemy | |
| A fast spreading of an introduced disease into a large or smaller part of the population. | |
| Epidemiology | |
| The study of the frequency and the distribution of diseases. | |
| Erythema | |
| A reddish rash on the skin. | |
| Exanthema | |
| Skin rash | |
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| F | |
| Fibrosis | |
| Increased formation of connective tissue in an organ. | |
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| G | |
| Gingivitis | |
| Inflammation of the gingiva (gums). | |
| Glaucoma | |
| Increased intraocular pressure that can be caused by various eye diseases. Read also our article about glaucoma. |
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| H | |
| Heart sac | |
| Two-layered membrane surrounding the heart, also called pericardium. | |
| Haematocrit | |
| Percentage or volume taken in by the red blood cells in the blood. | |
| Haemoglobin | |
| Haemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein of the red blood cells. | |
| Haemolytic anaemia | |
| Anaemia caused by the destruction of the red blood cells. | |
| Hypertension | |
| Increased blood pressure | |
| Hypotension | |
| Abnormally low blood pressure | |
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| I | |
| Idiopathic | |
| Denoting a disease with an unknown cause. | |
| Immunity | |
| Resistance to certain diseases. | |
| Immune complex | |
| A grouping of interlocking antibodies with an antigen. | |
| IImmunosuppressive | |
| An immunosuppressive is a medication such as azathioprine that suppresses the immune system. | |
| Inflammation | |
| Inflammation is the bodys defence against perceived invaders. It is caused when white blood cells invade and surround the offending invader. It is often characterised by redness, heat and swelling. | |
| Infection | |
| Contamination | |
| Interstitial | |
| Relating to spaces or interstices in any structure . | |
| Ischialgia/ Sciatica | |
| Pain at the back of the leg, radiating down via the sciatic nerve. | |
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| L | |
| Larynx | |
| Voice box | |
| LE cell | |
| White blood cell having phagocyted (eaten) the nucleus of another (destructed) white blood cell. It can be found in the blood of some lupus patients. | |
| Leukopenia | |
| Decrease in total amount of white blood cells. | |
| Lumbago | |
| Sudden pain in the back, often after a wrong movement. | |
| Lupus | |
| Chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease that can occur in various forms: either limited to the skin (skin lupus), or extended to all organs (systemic lupus, SLE). Read also our page on lupus. |
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| Lupus coagulant | |
| Antiphospholipid antibodies causing prolonged clotting time in the lab and increasing the risk for thrombosis and spontaneous abortion in lupus patients. | |
| Lymphocyte | |
| White blood cell that plays an important role in immunological reactions. | |
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| M | |
| Malignancy T | |
| the property of a tumour to lead to death if not treated appropriately (cancer). | |
| MCTD | |
| Stands for mixed connective tissue disease. The patients have symptoms of two or more connective tissue diseases (lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis). Read also our page on MCTD. |
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| Melanoma | |
| Highly malignant tumour, occurring on the skin. | |
| Membrane | |
| Pellicle | |
| Myositis | |
| Muscle inflammation | |
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| N | |
| Nephritis | |
| Inflammation of the kidney | |
| NSAID (*) | |
| Drugs that fight inflammation (such as aspirin). It stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. | |
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| O | |
| (O)edema | |
| Accumulation of excessive amount of watery fluid in tissues. | |
| (O)esophagus | |
| Gullet | |
| (O)estrogen | |
| Female hormone produced by the ovaries. | |
| Osteoporosis | |
| Bone decalcification resulting in a porous condition of the bones. | |
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| P | |
| Papilla | |
| Wart, lump | |
| Pathologic (al) | |
| Morbid, diseased | |
| Parietal | |
| Relating to the wall of any cavity. | |
| Pericarditis | |
| Inflammation of the pericardium, the two-layered sac around the heart. | |
| Pharynx | |
| The throat | |
| Photosensitivity | |
| Allergic reaction to ultraviolet rays (sunlight ea.). | |
| Physiology | |
| The functioning of different organs and their co-ordination. | |
| Pigment | |
| Granular colouring matter in tissues. | |
| Pleuritis | |
| Inflammation of the pleura, membrane enveloping the lungs and lining the walls of the pleural cavity. | |
| polyp | |
| Benign uncontrolled growth of cells. | |
| Polymyositis | |
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Chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease, characterised by a generalised muscle inflammation leading to severe muscle weakness and muscle pains. Damage of the respiratory muscles or heart muscle may cause serious complications. Read also our page on poly-and dermatomyositis. |
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| Proteinuria | |
| Presence of protein in the urine. | |
| Purpura | |
| Reddish spots on the skin caused by small bleedings. | |
| Pyrosis | |
| Heartburn | |
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| R | |
| Raynauds phenomenon/disease | |
| The turning white of the extremities due to insufficient blood circulation in the arteries. It can occur together with a connective tissue disease (secondary Raynauds phenomenon) or the symptoms by themselves (primary Raynauds phenomenon). Also read our article on Raynauds phenomenon. |
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| Remission | |
| Abatement in severity of the symptoms of a disease, which is not necessarily a cure for the disease. | |
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| S | |
| Sciatica/ Ischialgia | |
| Pain at the back of the leg, radiating down via the sciatic nerve. | |
| Scleroderma | |
| Scleroderma is a chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease characterised by tightening and thickening of the skin throughout the body or limited to the limbs. Mostly it is preceded by Raynauds phenomenon (the extremities turn white). Systemic sclerosis is a more generalised form with involvement of organs (oesophagus, kidneys, lungs) resulting in swallowing difficulties, high blood pressure and shortness of breath. Read also our page on scleroderma. |
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| Secretion | |
| Released substance | |
| Sediment | |
| Deposit | |
| Sedimentation rate | |
| A test that measures the rate in which the red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood in a time span of one or two hours. The higher the sedimentation rate, the more inflammation there is in the body. | |
| Shingles | |
| An infectious disease, accompanied by a skin rash, caused by a virus that has remained latent inside the body. | |
| Sialectasis | |
| Dilatation of a salivary duct; narrow passage with an accumulation of thickened saliva. | |
| Sicca complex | |
| Dry eyes and mouth due to inflammation of the connective tissue. | |
| Sjögren-syndroom | |
| Sjogrens Syndrome
Sjogrens Syndrome is a chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease with chronic inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands resulting in a reduced tear and saliva production, which causes dry eyes and a dry mouth. It causes a gritty sensation in the eyes and an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Occasionally, lesions of the cornea occur which may threaten the eyesight. Read also our page on Sjogrens Syndrome. |
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| Spirometer | |
| A device used for making pulmonary measurements. | |
| Synovitis | |
| Inflammation of the linings of the joints. | |
| Systemic sclerosis | |
| A more generalised form of scleroderma with damage to organs (oesophagus, kidneys, lungs) resulting in swallowing difficulties, high blood pressure and shortness of breath Read also our page on scleroderma. | |
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| T | |
| Telangiectases | |
| Small lesions formed by dilatation of capillaries. | |
| Titre | |
| An indirect way to express the amount of a dissolved solution. | |
| Trombocytopenia | |
| A low platelet count. | |
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| U | |
| UCTD (Undefined Connective Tissue Disease) | |
| In the early phase of a connective tissue disease, the patients symptoms may be very limited and unusual. Although the onset of a connective tissue disease can be certain in such cases, it is impossible to define the type of disease with certainty. That is why the term UCTD (= undefined connective tissue disease) is used. Some patients remain in this phase while others evolve into a real form of lupus or other connective tissue disease. | |
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| V | |
| Vasculitis | |
| Vasculitis means inflammation of blood vessels. It can occur in chronic connective tissue diseases, but also on its own. Read also our page on vasculitis. |
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| Vitiligo | |
| The appearance of white patches on the skin due to pigment loss. | |
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